Air compressors have been around for well over 100 years and have as many uses as there are tools that use air. One reason for their popularity is because air as a resource is safe, flexible, clean and convenient. These machines have evolved into highly reliable pieces of dental equipment that are almost indispensable in most of the applications they serve. Compressors can come in a wide variety of different types and sizes.
While there are many types of dental compressors, they all perform the same function, which is to increase the pressure and reduce the volume of a given gas such as air. The most common type of compressors work by filling a chamber with air and then reducing the chamber’s volume. These are called positive displacement compressors. They are the most widely available compressors and include reciprocating, rotary screw and rotary vane compressors.
1. Choose between piston-type and portable compressors. Essentially, there are two different kinds of air compressors. Piston-type compressors rely on a motor which builds up air pressure when it gets depleted. These store compressed air in tanks. Portable compressors do not have tanks, and so much stay running continuously in order to deliver air.
Piston-type compressors come in two varieties. The single-stage compressors use only one piston to compress air and top out at about 150 psi. Two-stage compressors use two pistons to deliver near continuous air pressure, and top out at around 200 psi.
Single-stage compressors are adequate for more heavy-duty applications at home. Two-stage compressors are more often used in industrial settings where owners expect near continuous usage.
Portable air compressors are more viable for light home use. Powering caulk guns, spray guns, glue guns, as well as for inflating small tires and rafts.
2. Look at the horsepower (HP) of the air compressor. A common range for horsepower on an air compressor is between 1.5 and 6.5 HP. Air compressors with larger HP capacity exist, but are usually reserved for industrial uses and offer far greater psi. Small-scale uses won’t require as much horsepower as industrial uses.
3. Consider your power source. Will you have the luxury of electricity at all times, or will you be in environments without electricity. If you’ll be next to an outlet at all times, it’s best to choose a drive system with an electric motor. If not, you’ll be forced to drive the compressor via a gasoline engine.
Most electric air compressors will run on 110V (US), but some larger ones run on 240V. Find out before you make the purchase.